Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1887-06-04

economy is better than wealth-and
since you really have no orders as yet,
don't you think we ought to be very
careful of how we spend our money!
And, Harry-I have been brought up
to manage all the household affairs
If you would only trust me with the
purse"
80 Twill, sweetheart" said Harry.
with great rollicking laugh. when l
get any cash!'
Harry" she cried, "haven't you any
money leftP"
He opened his empty purse, by way
of answer, and held 1t up before her.
But don't fret. darling" he cried.
cheerily. Business is sure to come in
before long"
Nevertheless Coquette looked at him
with grieved, startled eyes.
She had always heard that artists
were an improvident race, but up to the
present time she had never believed it.
But of course. now that he is mar
ried and settled, he will take quite a
different view Of things" she pondered.
''And l have got six new dresses and
all the clothes shall need for a year.
at least"
And when she wrote her first letter
home to the five sisters, she declared
over and over again, that she was ''per-
fectly happyv'
But as the time crept on, and the
six new gowns grew shabby, and the
| tradespeople clamored for their bills,
and no gold-edged orders came in,
Coquette's heart failed her, and even
Harry began to look unwontedly grave
And, as if to crown their troubles,
poor young Radcliffe fell ill of fever,
and lies trials looked Coquette grimly
in the face.
But the girl was not one easily to be
conquered. While she sat by Harry's
side. counting the hours between his
draughts of medicine. she sewed dill
| gently for dressmaker a street or so
| away.
When the good housekeeper came in
for few minutes, every evening, to
give her chance to get little fresh
air, she took her work home, and
secured the neighborhood for place
where she could buy grapes and pears,
at something less than rulnous prices.
to tempt her husbands capricious appe-
tite.
And one evening, when she returned
with an especially fine bunch of Tokay
grapes, which she had bought at bar
gam, she found him tossing restlessly
20 and fro on his pillow, with fresh
fever burning on his cheeks.
"a letter from Aunt rabitha, Co.
quetter' he cried. ''She is coming to
make us = visit Now, of all times in
the world, when the butcher and the
baker are taking turns in besieging us.
and everything is at the lowest ebb."
"But why not now, Harry?"
'.Don't you know? Aunt Tabby is
the one rich relative I've gotr' cried the
young man, impatiently. ''She always
declares she's going to leave her money
to me, because I'm the only member of
the family that knows how to make
money and save it. She's the most
mercenary old creature in the world,
and if she once sees what pass we've
come to- she'll never have another word
to say to mel"
Coquette looked sorrowfully around
the studio Everything that could by
any possibility be sold to raise little
money had been sent away. The floor
was carpetless, the walls were bare.
1T does look rather poverty-stricken."
she reluctantly admitted. "But-oh,
Harry, when is she coming?"
"On Thursday-only the day after to-
morrow"
'Very well," said Coquette, with
long breath. "we'll be ready for her,"
But how can we. dearest?"
"You shall see," Coquette answered.
with an arch nod of her head.
And then there ensued long coun-
Gil, whispered and intent.
"Jones will help u.s." said Harry,
"and DE Kaye, and Courtenay. And
Sprigglng is the best fellow in the
worldp'
"And Madam Plombreri and every
one of the sewing-girls will lend hand,
1 am sure." said Coquette. ''Oh, Harry,
am so glad you are sufficiently recov.
cred for us to try this bold experiment"
All the next day pleasant confusion
reigned in the studio.
Sprigging, a marine painter of no
mean pretensions, lugged in q half
finished picture of Moonlight on the
Grand Canal at Venice" and establish
ed it on his friends easel; De Kaye
stood on step-ladders, at the risk of his
life. to hang number Of his pretty lit
tie fruit and flower glimpses 30 that the
tarra-cotta colored walls should be
hidden; and Launcelot Courtenav him
self aided in their arrangement; while
the housekeeper. assisted by two able
bodied men, brought in the upright
piano which belonged to Courtenay's
room. together with q pile of marble
pedestals, crowned by bronze statuetteS
OF Mercury and Psyche.
Madam de Plombreri hung the win
dows with Turcoman draperies and
contributed rich Persian rug; Miss
Peck, the forewoman. sent up a china
cabinet, four gilt chairs and what
not; each Of the sewing-girls contribut-
cd pretty little articles Of bric-a-brac.
And in the midst Of this luxury Harry
Radcliffe lay on a sofa. with his wife
beside him, when Aunt Tibitha was
shown ina little, shrivelled. sharp
eyed woman. with shaggy gray eye
brows, and nose like the beak Of
bird Of prey.